Large Open Coop with Covered Run Design & Build with Costs and Pics

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks for replying!

Just FYI...I have 21 birds with 6 babies to join. Open air is my preference for sure. Just trying to figure out best set up so the hubby doesn’t make me sleep with them if I keep asking to do it differently. if I am supposed to have 4 sq’ per bird in coop and 10 in the run, I’m already short. Not terribly so and they can free range too.

I want an easy set up long term to accommodate layers, the roo, and babies. I can climb in the elevated area to shovel when needed. The under is harder.

I can shrink the elevated area tomorrow if I want. I could alternatively just wall off a bit separate or something for the littles. But I need to figure it out before tomorrow or my husband and brother who’s helping may disown me.

I can put roosts in the hen house and the run. Help.

Yeah I'd seriously consider something akin to the "Texas coop" in your situation. If space turns out to be an issue (in a coop/run combo don't think of it as 4 sq ft coop + 10 sq ft run, it's all a single space) you might need to whittle the flock back, but you *should* have enough space for the birds you've got right now as long as you give the flock things to occupy them/clutter to break up the space a bit.

I really think it'd be easier (and cheaper!) to copy the Texas build and completely skip the separate raised coop part, leaving the 3 walls in for climate protection and shade but no 4th wall and no floor. After about 6 months of bending over trying to reach in and under a big raised coop like you're planning you might want to rip it out anyway! It does mean that you need to make sure your set up is as predator proof as possible, so make sure to fasten all the wire as securely as possible, and get at least 18-24" of mesh aproned around the entire perimeter.

 

[Missceegee]

Yeah I'd seriously consider something akin to the "Texas coop" in your situation. If space turns out to be an issue (in a coop/run combo don't think of it as 4 sq ft coop + 10 sq ft run, it's all a single space) you might need to whittle the flock back, but you *should* have enough space for the birds you've got right now as long as you give the flock things to occupy them/clutter to break up the space a bit.

I really think it'd be easier (and cheaper!) to copy the Texas build and completely skip the separate raised coop part, leaving the 3 walls in for climate protection and shade but no 4th wall and no floor. After about 6 months of bending over trying to reach in and under a big raised coop like you're planning you might want to rip it out anyway! It does mean that you need to make sure your set up is as predator proof as possible, so make sure to fasten all the wire as securely as possible, and get at least 18-24" of mesh aproned around the entire perimeter.

I'm convinced. Modifying the plan and canceling some materials on order. Hubby prefers the sides be metal. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on skirt boards around whole thing of 18-24" high? Not necessary in my mind except for the crazy rain right now might make them helpful.

I do still want an area for the 6 young birds I plan to incorporate. Trying to figure best how to do that. Maybe two doors and a temp wall that can go up or come down. But that would mean putting up another 3 wall area for them, I think.

The flock will be whittled a bit in 3-4 weeks when I get the meat birds processed. I've one or two who lay shell-less eggs, so they will go. 25-30 is my max. I don't need that many personally, but I like them and plan to sell/share eggs with a few family and friends.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm convinced. Modifying the plan and canceling some materials on order. Hubby prefers the sides be metal. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on skirt boards around whole thing of 18-24" high? Not necessary in my mind except for the crazy rain right now might make them helpful.

Hope someone with experience or pros/cons about metal pipes up. I don't see why it wouldn't work as long as he has no issues with working with it, many of us don't have tools to cut metal panels for example.

When you say "skirt boards" I assume you mean you want to panel up the bottom 18-24" around the entire thing? I don't think that'd be an issue.

I do still want an area for the 6 young birds I plan to incorporate. Trying to figure best how to do that. Maybe two doors and a temp wall that can go up or come down. But that would mean putting up another 3 wall area for them, I think.

For the integration part, something temporary would be fine - like a large dog crate, exercise pen, etc. That way it can be completely out of the way when not in use.

 

[TropicalBabies]

What kind of metal? It could add to the heat effect if hit but the sun you would have a bit of an oven, with all that shade maybe not?
I use a lot of corrugated roofing tin myself. Once you get past cutting it it is fabulous. Just be big into your ventilation. I think if it were me- though I don't know your area at all- but I would want cross ventilation options. For those days when you need it. Or... install a fan. I have both and it still is scary hot for the chooks.

 

[aart]

Thoughts on skirt boards around whole thing of 18-24" high? Not necessary in my mind except for the crazy rain right now might make them helpful.

It will reduce air flow and sight lines.
Water infiltration can be tricky.
I notice in a pic on page 2 that the coop floor is soaked despite the roof in place.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is this what you'd recommend basically, just 3 solid walls w/ vents above in all the walls?

Yes. That's what I went with. It's essentially impossible to have too much ventilation in the US Southeast and Gulf as long as you have a place where they can get out of the wind when they want to.

Hubby prefers the sides be metal. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on skirt boards around whole thing of 18-24" high?

Metal is great once you know how to work with it. All over the US South animal housing is made with metal roof and siding because of the termites and carpenter ants.

Neuchickenstein will have 12" skirt boards inside to keep the Deep Litter from spilling out and to keep the composting action from eating the support posts. We're still debating between metal, Hardiplank, and a heavy plastic panel DH found that's made for commercial bathrooms.

 

[Sally PB]

We're still debating between metal, Hardiplank, and a heavy plastic panel DH found that's made for commercial bathrooms.

What is the plastic stuff called? What does it cost? I'm looking for options to put a no-dig barrier along my garden fence. I have some scraps of metal roofing, but not nearly enough.

 

[3KillerBs]

What is the plastic stuff called? What does it cost? I'm looking for options to put a no-dig barrier along my garden fence. I have some scraps of metal roofing, but not nearly enough.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-Plastics-48-in-x-8-ft-Embossed-White-Matte-Wall-Panel/3436816

My main concern with it, assuming that when we look at it is thick enough to not *easily* poke a pitchfork through it (the reason we're not using plastic roofing), is whether it will degrade from the UV.

 

[Missceegee]

It will reduce air flow and sight lines.
Water infiltration can be tricky.
I notice in a pic on page 2 that the coop floor is soaked despite the roof in place.

The sight line was my concern. Maybe making it lower 12” or so to hold in litter and keep it off the wood.

Florida has become the downpour state as well as the sunshine state. It was pouring all afternoon before the roofing went up and while we put it up there. So it should dry out good with a dry day or two and then stay dry except in driving rain.

 

[Missceegee]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-Plastics-48-in-x-8-ft-Embossed-White-Matte-Wall-Panel/3436816

My main concern with it, assuming that when we look at it is thick enough to not *easily* poke a pitchfork through it (the reason we're not using plastic roofing), is whether it will degrade from the UV.

That has been returned. It was going to line the floor of the elevated area (hdpe substitute), but we mixed the floor. I think a pitchfork would go trough. I have loads of old fencing (hog wire) I’m going to take and put flat outside this coop for a predator apron. This may have worked for skirt board. Will think on that.